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2026 Salary Data — Philadelphia, PA
Updated April 28, 2026

Financial Planner Salary in Philadelphia: $100K Median

Financial Planners in Philadelphia, PA earn between $65K and $165K per year.

That's +4% above the US national median of $96,000 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Financial Planner salary in Philadelphia, PA is $99,840 per year — +4% above the US national median of $96,000. Salaries range from $64,896 (entry, 25th percentile) to $164,736 (90th percentile). Financial Planners in Philadelphia earned approximately $19,576 in 2025, representing 410.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$99,840
+410.0% YoY · $8,320/mo
Entry
$77,875
0–2 years
Experienced
$131,789
5+ years
Top 10%
$164,736
Senior/lead
Financial Planner Salary — Philadelphia vs Nearby
Philadelphia
$100K
Las Vegas
$91K
+9% vs Philadelphia
Minneapolis
$106K
-5% vs Philadelphia
Chicago
$101K
-1% vs Philadelphia

Free ATS scan · Philadelphia employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Financial Planners in Philadelphia

Financial planners help individuals and families plan for retirement, investments, taxes, and estate goals. CFP-track planners deliver holistic, fiduciary-grade advice.

Core Responsibilities

  • Build comprehensive financial plans
  • Advise on retirement and investment strategy
  • Manage client portfolios and rebalancing
  • Coordinate tax and estate planning
  • Build long-term client relationships

Education & Certifications

Typical path: Bachelor's degree + CFP certification

In-demand certifications

Certified Financial Planner (CFP)ChFCCFASeries 7/65/66CPA/PFS

Philadelphia Job Market

Major East Coast medical, education, and pharmaceutical hub.

Population
1584K
Cost of Living
109
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4.6%
Median Home
$285K

Top Industries in Philadelphia

HealthcareEducationFinancePharmaceuticalsManufacturing

Top Employers Hiring Financial Planners

Major employers active in Philadelphia or hiring remotely from this metro.

Fidelity
Vanguard
Charles Schwab
Edward Jones
Merrill Lynch
Morgan Stanley
RIAs (independent)
Northwestern Mutual

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying Financial Planner listings.

CFP designationtax planningestate planningfee-only RIA modelfinancial planning software (eMoney, RightCapital)behavioral finance

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

CFPfinancial planningretirement planninginvestment managementwealth managementfiduciarytax planningestate planningSeries 65client relationships
Career Outlook
+13% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

Financial planner roles projected to grow 13% through 2034. Aging baby boomers and growing wealth transfer driving strong demand for CFPs.

Financial Planner Salary Breakdown — Philadelphia

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$64,896$99,840$164,736
Monthly$5,408$8,320$13,728
Weekly$1,248$1,920$3,168
Hourly$31$48$79

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($96,000) adjusted for Philadelphia's cost-of-living multiplier (1.04×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Financial Planner Take-Home Pay in Philadelphia

After federal, state, local, and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$71,726.352
Per month$5,977
Biweekly paycheck$2,759
Effective tax rate28.2%

Tax Breakdown on $99,840

Gross salary$99,840
Federal income tax−$13,666.8
Pennsylvania state tax−$3,065.088
Philadelphia local tax−$3,744
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$7,637.76
Take-home (net)$71,726.352

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

Financial Planner Salary by Experience — Philadelphia

Career-stage progression for Financial Planners in Philadelphia.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$71,645
2–3 yr$77,875
4–6 yr$104,832
7–10 yr$131,789
11–15 yr$155,511
15+ yr$148,263

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Philadelphia's 1.04× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+410.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$19,576
2026 median:$99,840
Change:+$80,264

Finance sector growth driven by demand for CFP designation and tax planning.

Is This A Good Salary?

Solid above median

Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$91,596
Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.

How to Negotiate Your Financial Planner Salary in Philadelphia

Walk-away anchor: $89,143 (offers below this are below market for Philadelphia).

Leverage Points

  • Bonus targets and historical payout percentages (ask for last 3 years actual)
  • Profit-share, carry, or AUM-linked compensation for senior roles
  • CFA, CPA, or Series licenses materially shift base compensation
  • Buyout of unvested deferred comp from your current employer

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

Guaranteed first-year bonus (especially in IB, PE, hedge funds)Sign-on / make-whole for forfeited deferred compCarried interest or profit-share at PE/HF/VC firmsCFA / Series exam fees and study time off401(k) match and deferred comp plan

What To Say

"I'm walking away from $X in unvested deferred compensation if I leave now. Can we structure the offer with a sign-on that makes me whole, plus a guaranteed first-year bonus floor?"

Anchor on $132K–$165K for experienced roles, citing Philadelphia market data and your specific CFP designation/tax planning expertise.

Financial Planner Salary FAQ — Philadelphia

What is the average Financial Planner salary in Philadelphia, PA?
The average Financial Planner salary in Philadelphia is $99,840 per year as of April 2026 — $8,320/month, $1,920/week, or about $48/hour. Salaries range from $64,896 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $164,736 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Philadelphia's cost-of-living multiplier (1.04×).
Is $99,840 a good Financial Planner salary in Philadelphia?
Solid above median. Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income. Philadelphia's cost-of-living index is 109 (vs 100 nationally), giving $99,840 a real purchasing power of approximately $91,596 in national terms. Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.
Can you live on $99,840 in Philadelphia?
Dual-income households support a comfortable family lifestyle. Single-earner families on the median may need to compromise on neighborhood, square footage, or college savings. Aim for 28-30% of pre-tax income on rent. The classic 30% rule still works here, though housing costs are creeping up faster than wages. For Philadelphia specifically (median home price $285,000), a $99,840 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $99,840 enough for a single person in Philadelphia?
A single adult in Philadelphia typically needs ~$49,050 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $99,840 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $99,840 enough for a couple in Philadelphia?
A couple (one earner) in Philadelphia typically needs ~$78,480 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $99,840 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $99,840 each ($199,680 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $99,840 enough for a family of 4 in Philadelphia?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Philadelphia typically needs ~$119,900 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $99,840 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most families need a second income or to live in cheaper suburbs/exurbs of Philadelphia. Childcare costs in Philadelphia typically run $16K-$31K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Financial Planner in Philadelphia?
On a $99,840 Financial Planner salary in Philadelphia, PA, you take home approximately $71,726.352 per year ($5,977/month, $2,759 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $13,666.8, state $3,065.088, local $3,744, FICA $7,637.76. Effective tax rate: 28.2%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Financial Planners in Philadelphia earn compared to the US average?
Financial Planners in Philadelphia earn approximately 4% more than the US national median for this role ($96,000 nationally vs $99,840 in Philadelphia). However, Philadelphia's cost-of-living index of 109 means real purchasing power is approximately $91,596 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Financial Planner earn in Philadelphia?
Entry-level Financial Planners in Philadelphia typically start at around $77,875 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Financial Planners earn $131,789 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $164,736+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Financial Planner salaries in Philadelphia increase in 2026?
Yes — Financial Planner salaries in Philadelphia grew approximately 410.0% year-over-year, from $19,576 in 2025 to $99,840 in 2026 (+$80,264). This reflects the broader Finance sector's compensation trend, driven by CFP designation and tax planning demand.
What's the job outlook for Financial Planners in Philadelphia?
Financial planner roles projected to grow 13% through 2034. Aging baby boomers and growing wealth transfer driving strong demand for CFPs. Philadelphia's top industries include Healthcare, Education, Finance, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 4.6% — steady demand for skilled workers.
What skills are most in demand for Financial Planners in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Financial Planners are: CFP designation, tax planning, estate planning, fee-only RIA model, financial planning software (eMoney, RightCapital), behavioral finance. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in Philadelphia.
Who are the top employers hiring Financial Planners in Philadelphia?
Top employers hiring Financial Planners in or near Philadelphia include: Fidelity, Vanguard, Charles Schwab, Edward Jones, Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley. Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher Financial Planner salary in Philadelphia?
I'm walking away from $X in unvested deferred compensation if I leave now. Can we structure the offer with a sign-on that makes me whole, plus a guaranteed first-year bonus floor? Key leverage points for Finance negotiations: Bonus targets and historical payout percentages (ask for last 3 years actual); Profit-share, carry, or AUM-linked compensation for senior roles; CFA, CPA, or Series licenses materially shift base compensation. Beyond base salary, negotiate for: Guaranteed first-year bonus (especially in IB, PE, hedge funds), Sign-on / make-whole for forfeited deferred comp, Carried interest or profit-share at PE/HF/VC firms, CFA / Series exam fees and study time off.
How can I increase my Financial Planner salary in Philadelphia?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (CFP designation, tax planning, estate planning) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., Certified Financial Planner (CFP) or ChFC). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a Financial Planner in Philadelphia?
Bachelor's degree + CFP certification is the typical path. However, Philadelphia's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Finance roles.

Methodology & Sources

Financial Planner salary figures for Philadelphia are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($96,000) by Philadelphia's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.04× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (410.0%) reflects the Finance sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

Related Roles in Philadelphia

Financial Analyst →Accountant →Real Estate Agent →

Financial Planner Salary in Other Cities

Chicago, IL$101KHouston, TX$101KPhoenix, AZ$96KDallas, TX$101KFort Worth, TX$98KCharlotte, NC$98KNashville, TN$96KSacramento, CA$104K

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